How to Create a Business Model Slide for Your Pitch Deck

Ever wondered why some startups think a business model slide is just a fancy way to say “we sell stuff”? If that made you cringe, you’re not alone! Many new founders misunderstand the business model slide, treating it like a boring sales pitch instead of the golden ticket investors crave.

So, what exactly is a business model slide? Simply put, it’s the part of your pitch deck where you show investors how your startup plans to make money and why it will keep making money as you grow. Investors often prioritize this slide because, at the end of the day, they want to see a clear path to profits and scalability.

Table of Contents

• Why is the Business Model Slide Important
• How to Create a Business Model Slide
• Mistakes to Avoid

Why is the Business Model Slide Important

Your business model slide isn’t just about dollars and cents, it’s about showing that your startup can grow big and stay profitable. Investors want to see that your business model is scalable, meaning it can handle growth smoothly by serving more customers and generating more traction without costs spiraling out of control.

It should clearly highlight your core revenue streams and pricing whether that’s subscription fees, commissions, or product sales, so investors understand exactly how money flows into your business. But it doesn’t stop there; you also need to explain your sales and distribution strategy, demonstrating how you reach your customers and keep them coming back for more.

How to Create a Business Model Slide

Visualize Business Model

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when explaining complex ideas. Use flowcharts, tables, or diagrams to clearly show how your revenue streams flow, how you segment your customers, and how your value proposition connects these elements. This visual approach helps investors instantly grasp how your business creates and captures value without overwhelming them with text.

Highlight Primary Monetization Strategy

Focus on the main ways your startup makes money by clearly explaining how you charge your customers and how your pricing model works. Specify how your paying customers engage with your product or service. Bonus points if you include key metrics like retention rates or lifetime value to demonstrate how your business sustains and grows revenue over time.

Tie it Back to The Problem Statement

Keep it simple and jargon-free. Clearly communicate how your customers are willing to pay for your solution and how your business model gives you a competitive edge. This connection shows investors how your revenue strategy directly addresses the problem you solve, making your pitch more compelling and coherent.

"The true product of an entrepreneur is not the solution, but a working business model. The real job of an entrepreneur is to systematically de-risk that business model over time." as Ash Maurya once said on his book Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works. The real success for a startup lies not just in creating a product, but in continuously testing and refining a viable business model that reduces risk and drives sustainable growth.

Mistakes to Avoid

Overloading with Too Many Revenue Streams

Trying to list every possible way to make money can overwhelm investors and dilute the focus of your business model slide.

• Bad example: “We make money from ads, subscriptions, affiliate marketing, consulting, merchandise sales, and event tickets.” (Investors get lost in the noise.)
• Good example: “Our primary revenue comes from monthly subscriptions, with plans to introduce premium features and targeted ads in year two.” (Clear and focused.)

Failing to Highlight Unique Business Model Aspects

Simply stating how you make money won’t impress investors unless you clearly explain what makes your model different and defensible.

• Bad example: “We sell our app for $9.99.” (No explanation of why your pricing or model is special.)
• Good example: “Our subscription model includes personalized coaching, which competitors don’t offer, allowing us to charge a premium and increase retention.” (Shows competitive edge.)

Using Cluttered Design and Too Much Text

A crowded slide with dense paragraphs will lose investors’ attention before they understand your business model’s value.

• Bad example: A dense slide filled with paragraphs explaining every detail of pricing and costs. (Investors tune out.)
• Good example: A clean slide with bullet points and icons summarizing revenue streams and pricing, paired with a simple chart. (Easy to scan and understand.)

The Short of It

Your business model slide is the heart of your pitch deck, it tells investors how you make money and why your startup can grow big and stay profitable. Keep it visual, focused on your main revenue streams, and clearly tied to the problem you’re solving. Avoid clutter, jargon, and overloading with too many details. Nail this slide, and you’ll have investors leaning in, eager to learn more!

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